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H. W. LIBBEY, OF `CLEVELAND, OHIO.

Letters Patent No. 75,030, dated March 3, 1868.

IMPROVEMENT IN BOSOM-PADS.

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'.lO ALL WHOM IT MAY OONCERN: y I

Be it known that I, H. W. LIBBEY, of Cleveland,in the county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Breast-Forms for ladies; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full and complete descriptionA of the same, reference being had tothe accompanyingdrawings 'making a part of this speeication, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the form.

Figure 2 is a transverse section.

Figures 3 and 4 are detached sections.

Like letters ofV reference refer to likeparts in the views.

In iig. A1, A is a disk er diaphragm, constructed of vulcanized rubber, wood, papier mache, or of any other material suitable-for the purpose. Around the margin of this disk is cut a groove, B, iig. 4, the purpose of which will hereafter be shown. C, fig. 1, is an elastic air-tightl covering er membrane, placed upon and secured to the convex side of the disk A, as follows, viz: lThe groove referred to is lutcd with some elastic varnish, or

'otber.tcnacious material, on which is laid the membrane, the edge of which is again luted, and on this is stretcheda piece of tape, D, so that one edge of the said top will project beyond the edge of the disk. A cord is then woundtigbtly around, vtherl-eby pressing the membrane and tape or fillet down into the groove. The whole,- by this means, is made permanently secure and air-tight, as vshown in iig. 4. E is a lining, made of silk or other soft material,.and is 'attached to the form by being sewn on to the projecting edge of `thetape or fillet, as shown in iig. 2. This lining, when the form is worn,is in contact with the tegument of the breast, a circular opening being made in the centre ofthe same for the admission'ef the nipple. -F, iig. 3, is a mouth-piece, for the purpo/se of in iaitingthe form, and is made by gathering together the loose teguments of theelastic covering, and` tying them by a small cord around a. tube, u. This tube is connected to a. button, a', which forms the top of a small circular chamber, G, opening into the space between the disk A and elasticcovering.l In the tube referred to is a stem, 6,-to the lower end of which is attached a. valve, c, the face of which is kept close pressed against the inner-face of the button, which forms the valve s-eat,'by the spring H. In the space between the disk or diaphragm, is placed a certain quantity of sponge, or other suitable material, J, lig. 2, or the said space may be filled with 'small iulated sacks or capsules. A is an elastic ligament connlectingthe two forms together, passing from one to the other in front of the sternurn, and B are straps, by which they are secured to the person.

The manner of inilating the forms is as follows: The mouth is applied' to the nipple, when, o'n blowing into .s

the tube therein, the valve is forced back from its seat, andthe airpasses into the chamber, thence into the form,

- inating the sponge; and expanding the covering, which, on being donc, the pressure of the airfrom within' closes the valve, and thereby prevents-its escape'from the-form.

- The iniiatedsponge gives strength to the expanded covering, and consistency to the form, so that it will readily yield to the pressure ofthe clothing, and still retain its fullness of figure and resiliency, and being constructed of'liglit material it can be worn without discomfort to the person. I

The advantages of this breast-form over` thosein ordinary use, are as follows: Women in whom the mammaryis not fully developed, und who are desirous of showing such development, use for this purpose p'ads, inadeof various'ma-terial', which bytheir weight' press heavily upon lthe breast, and by their close contact induce an increase of heat, which often results in irreparable injury to the gland, by causing a. retraction of the nipple and giving rise to tumors.

By the use of my breast-forms these evils are avoided, as there Vis no compression of the nipple. It therefore suers no contraction, and the free, natural growth of the breast is in no way retarded.

Thecon'cave depression shown at the point X, g. 2, is for the purpose of receiving the chamber when the elastic covering is first laid on the diaphragm, so that the covering may be flat-ter upon the disk before being expandedby iniation, and thereby produce greater tension in the covering.

Y What I claim as my improvement, and desire to'seeure by Letters Patent, is`

1. A breast-form or pad, having a rigid base, A, and a. flexible rubber front, provided with a valve at the nipple, and padded or stuifed, substantially as herein described. y I

2. The valve c, as arranged, in combination with the elastic covering G and nipple F, for the purpose and in the manner substantiallyas set forth.

i H. W. LIBBEY.

Witnesses:

. W. H..Bnnnn en,

J. HQLMES. 

